Expressing the inexpressible

Therapy for victims of torture

According to Amnesty International, torture is still practised in over 140 countries – with purported aims ranging from the extortion of confessions to attempts at demonstrating the alleged successes of criminal and political investigations. Despite these claims, however, the actual goal of the torturers is often the destruction of the victim’s personality and identity.

The purpose is to instill fear in the opposing community, and an individual who has been shattered by torture is no longer able to show any resistance. To achieve this, the victims are not only exposed to physical maltreatment, but also to extreme cruelties that damage their mental well-being. This includes the use of tactics like mock executions, solitary confinement or sleep deprivation.
Those who survive torture are marked by physical and psychological injuries, often including trauma spectrum disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Jean Améry, a concentration camp survivor, describes it thus: “Those who succumb to torture can never be at home in this world again.”

The effects of torture are not limited solely to the survivor, as current and even future relatives of victims of torture suffer from the consequences of the experience. The estrangement, the emotional numbness and many other symptoms affect their partner’s, children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Torture is an experience across generations.

Beginning 13 years ago, the collaboration between vivo international and the University of Konstanz was initiated in order to work with survivors of torture and their relatives. During the past seven years, the project has been funded by the United Nations and coordinated by Dr. Katalin Dohrmann. Within this project, refugees from different countries who were victimized by torture and organised violence are diagnosed and psychotherapeutically treated. Victims of torture receive Narrative Exposure Therapy, which helps the survivors to speak about the incomprehensible and, initially, inexpressible. Further, Narrative Exposure Therapy serves to help relocate and anchor their experiences within the personal story of their own lives. Relatives of survivors of torture receive advice, information and support from therapists and, if necessary, therapeutic treatment.

Katalin DohrmannPhoto: Ulrike Sommer

Therapy for victims of torture

According to Amnesty International, torture is still practised in over 140 countries – with purported aims ranging from the extortion of confessions to attempts at demonstrating the alleged successes of criminal and political investigations. Despite these claims, however, the actual goal of the torturers is often the destruction of the victim’s personality and identity.

The purpose is to instill fear in the opposing community, and an individual who has been shattered by torture is no longer able to show any resistance. To achieve this, the victims are not only exposed to physical maltreatment, but also to extreme cruelties that damage their mental well-being. This includes the use of tactics like mock executions, solitary confinement or sleep deprivation.
Those who survive torture are marked by physical and psychological injuries, often including trauma spectrum disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Jean Améry, a concentration camp survivor, describes it thus: “Those who succumb to torture can never be at home in this world again.”

The effects of torture are not limited solely to the survivor, as current and even future relatives of victims of torture suffer from the consequences of the experience. The estrangement, the emotional numbness and many other symptoms affect their partner’s, children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Torture is an experience across generations.

Beginning 13 years ago, the collaboration between vivo international and the University of Konstanz was initiated in order to work with survivors of torture and their relatives. During the past seven years, the project has been funded by the United Nations and coordinated by Dr. Katalin Dohrmann. Within this project, refugees from different countries who were victimized by torture and organised violence are diagnosed and psychotherapeutically treated. Victims of torture receive Narrative Exposure Therapy, which helps the survivors to speak about the incomprehensible and, initially, inexpressible. Further, Narrative Exposure Therapy serves to help relocate and anchor their experiences within the personal story of their own lives. Relatives of survivors of torture receive advice, information and support from therapists and, if necessary, therapeutic treatment.